Chicago Mayor Allocates Nearly $640 Million to Migrant Services Amid School Deficit
City records show Mayor Brandon Johnson directed about $639.6 million in public funds to services for undocumented migrants between 2022 and 2024, while Chicago schools faced a $732 million budget shortfall.
Inspector-general data indicate that Mayor Brandon Johnson allocated $639.6 million of tax revenue to aid undocumented migrants between August 2022 and the close of 2024.
CPS requested a record $10.11 billion budget for 2026 despite the declining student body, yet proficiency rates in reading and math remain low. The debate underscores tension between immigration assistance and the funding needs of the city’s public schools.
Why it matters
It highlights how municipal spending choices affect both migrant support and underfunded public schools.
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